The right fit

Thursday

When Davon Edwards decided to leave Kinston High for Bethel Christian Academy the junior was in search of greener pastures.

He’s definitely found them with the Trojans.

When Davon Edwards decided to leave Kinston High for Bethel Christian Academy the junior was in search of greener pastures.

He’s definitely found them with the Trojans.

Edwards, who played junior varsity hoops for the Vikings, has made an immediate impact at Bethel in his first season. Through seven games, the left-hander is averaging 20.9 points per game and has helped the Trojans to a 6-1 record.

“I had better opportunities. I actually had a chance,” said Edwards of his change in schools. “I knew it was a good school, my mom was trying to get me into a private school and it was going to help me in my spiritual walk with God.”

While Edwards figured it would take a while to fit in wearing the blue and white — Bethel and Kinston have two completely different styles of play — it didn’t take an entire game.

In his first game with his new team, Edwards dropped 10 points, which were the lowest of four double-figure scorers. Since then, Edwards, who calls himself an “all-around” player, has scored at least 20 points and led his team in scoring in each game since.

Edwards, who said he “didn’t do all that good at Kinston,” may have felt it would take some time to make the adjustment. But his teammates felt it could come from the start.

“He’s good. He’s probably the best one on the team,” senior guard Conor Rivero said. “He’s the one we look to when we need some points … and rely on.

“He came from a team that likes to run so we didn’t know how he’d fit in with our offense but so far he’s been doing pretty good.”

Academics also played a role in Edwards’ transfer. He said he couldn’t play the second half of last season because of poor grades, and made it a goal to do better in the classroom.

Better grades have also translated into a better basketball player.

“Basketball’s not the only reason I came here,” Edwards said.

When the Trojans host Jacksonville Christian tonight, they’ll be eight games into their season. But already Edwards has proven himself to be a leader.

Edwards may not have wanted that role quite so soon, but he’s determined to live up to his teammates’ expectations.

“They look at me like I shouldn’t make mistakes on the floor, like a leader,” he said. “I try my best to lead my team.”

While Edwards could have stayed at Kinston and possibly won an NCHSAA state 2A championship this season, he chose to go to Bethel to better himself as a person.

Now, after only seven games with his new team, he’s become the go-to-guy on a squad that hopes to play for a NCCSA championship.

“I think any high school basketball player dreams of winning a state championship. But first you have to put in something to win a championship,” he said.

“I’m happy I’m here. There’s nothing more that I could ask for.”

Ryan Herman can be reached at 252-559-1073 or Ryan.Herman@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter:@KFPSports.

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